By now, you have 100% heard about the theory that says Bran Stark is the Night King. You must have. Do you have an internet connection and a passing interest in Game of Thrones? If both answers point to yes and you STILL aren’t across this theory, then I don’t know what to say. Read about it here.
Unfortunately for everyone gunning hard for this theory, it’s just been shut down by non other than Isaac Hempstead Wright. The actor told Vulture that he thinks Bran and the Night King are connected by their similarities, and nothing more.
“I think it’s less that they’re the same person and more that they’re two of the ancient beings of Westeros. The Three-Eyed Raven has been around for God knows how long, and White Walkers have been reported since the beginning of time. As we’ve seen, they were created by the Children of the Forest, so we can’t get much more ancient than that. Perhaps we can think of it as these are two characters with a huge amount of power, but one is a Frankenstein’s monster who is driven by nothing but hatred and violence. Then there’s Bran, who uses his powers for good. I want to find out why the Night King is so obsessed with destroying mankind. We’ll see whether they have any kind of explanations in the next season. Hopefully we’ll find out cool stuff about both of those characters.”
I mean, if someone could give an explanation into the Night King’s motivations outside of total destruction and devastation, that’d be great. Game of Thrones has been characterised by the audience understanding (and sometimes rooting for) more than one side of any conflict; there needs to be something more than just a vague, all-out evil army. Gimme the inside story.
It’s also important to remember that Hempstead Wright doesn’t actually know that Bran Stark isn’t the Night King. He confirmed to Vulture that he hasn’t actually gotten the script for next season yet, meaning that at this point, “the golden period”, is when he can strap on his tin foil hat and theorise along with the rest of the Game of Thrones fandom.
“During shooting I have to be like, “Nope, I can’t say anything.” But this is the golden period. We haven’t gotten the scripts for the next season and this one’s just finished. I can properly theorise and chat, because I don’t know anything that’s going to happen.”
